Thursday's Child (Out of Time #5)

by Monique Martin

  They ran for the stables, Rose, Eli and James not far behind. The movement seemed to jolt James from his stupor.

  Grooms were leading nervous horses out of the stables and into the far corral to protect them from the encroaching fire. Even though the house and the fire were nearly fifty yards apart, fire could travel in an instant.

  A distressed looking groom ran toward James. “I tried to stop him, suh, but he had a gun!”

  “What happened?” James demanded.

  “The doctor, he come with Miss Louisa, and take the Cross buggy.” The groom waved a hand down the long drive to the main road. “They went down that way, suh.”

  James gripped the man's shoulders. “Horses. We need horses.”

  “Four,” Simon said.

  James looked at him in confusion. “Four?”

  Rose stepped forward. “I am coming, James.”

  A loud clap of thunder echoed in the distance, the sound of a mother's fury.

  At least James knew enough not to waste time arguing that point, Simon thought, and James shoved the groom away with orders to saddle four horses and get two men to help.

  “I'll be back,” Eli said to Rose and he ran off. Simon turned and watched him run back to the main house.

  Dozens and dozens of slaves had formed a long bucket brigade from the well to the house.

  “Where's the cart?” James yelled and as if to answer a low, flatbed cart with a long seesaw-like lever on top appeared out of the darkness. Two men pulled it toward the house, leaving a tail of hose behind them that Simon could see led to the large water cistern.

  Three more men came over to help. One attached a second hose to a large spigot and the others grabbed onto the poles extending from the arms of the lever and began to pump. The men pushed the lever down to their waists then up above their heads as the other side pushed down. They seesawed up and down and took a few agonizing moments before they'd built up enough pressure. Finally, water came out of the hose and the man holding the free-end ran inside the house.

  Another clap of thunder came and then a lightning strike not too far away.

  “Mister James!” the groom who he'd sent to fetch the horses called. He led two horses and another man two more.

  Simon helped Elizabeth up into her saddle as James helped Rose before they mounted their own horses. Eli ran toward them carrying several guns. He handed James a large musket and Simon a handgun, keeping a shotgun for himself. The handgun was an older cap and ball. Simon checked the cylinder. It was loaded with fresh powder caps and lead balls. He made sure the hammer was in the safety position and shoved it in his waistband before looking over at Elizabeth.

  Her horse pranced nervously, but she seemed to have control of it.

  “I'm all right,” she said.

  Eli mounted his horse and three slaves rode up on saddleless horses and joined their party. “We help find Miss Louisa.”

  James nodded and the eight of them took off at a gallop down the long drive to the main road, Eli in the lead. At the end of the drive Eli pulled up. Their horses pranced anxiously in place waiting for commands. The doctor could have gone either way.

  “We should split up,” Elizabeth said, as her horse turned in a circle, looking down one long stretch of dark road and then the other.

  Simon didn't like that idea, but they had little choice. A light rain began to fall. Simon looked south and then north trying to gauge which direction the doctor would go. To town or away from it?

  Thunder rumbled overhead and then a flash of lightning illuminated the night. In the distance, at the top of a small rise to the north, Simon could just make out a figure in the road. The second flash of lightning came and he saw that it was Mary. Her white gown appeared in the night and then disappeared again just as quickly.

  “This way,” Simon said and spurred his horse toward the north. The others followed without question.

  They rode as quickly as they dared in the darkness and the rain. They'd barely gone a mile when Simon saw something by the side of the road. As he got closer, he could make out the shape. It was their buggy, stuck in a ditch. The horse struggled in place, one wheel buried in a deep rut.

  Simon and James leapt off their horses, and ran to the carriage. Simon grabbed James' arm and forced him to stop, silently urging caution. If the doctor was there, he was still armed. Slowly, they approached one on each side, guns at the ready.

  “Empty!” James said and pounded his fist against the railing.

  There were thick woods on either side of the road.

  “There!” Rose suddenly cried.

  Simon turned and saw the brief flash of a white dress in the woods to the west.

  Rose struggled to dismount, her skirts catching on the saddle horn. Eli was by her side in an instant and with the help of one of the slaves disentangled her.

  Elizabeth had taken more care with her skirts and slid off her saddle easily into Simon's waiting arms.

  “This way,” Rose said as she led their search party across the road and toward the thick woods.

  The rain was coming down much harder now and the natural gully on the far side of the road was already filled with water rapidly flowing downhill. They waded through it and plunged into the woods beyond.

  James reached out to help Rose pick her way through the heavy underbrush, but she pulled her arm away from him and struggled on her own until Eli came to her aid. Simon reached out to do the same for Elizabeth, but she wasn't at his side. He turned back and saw her lifting her dress hem up and fighting with her petticoats. She glanced up at him.

  “Help me get these things off,” she said. “They weigh a ton.”

  Simon hurried back to her and knelt in the mud. She lifted her dress skirt up and he unfastened her petticoats. They were muddy and sodden. Each had easily already soaked up gallons of water. It would have been impossible to slog through the woods with the added encumbrance.

  He held her steady as she stepped out of them and, once free, they made quick work of catching up with the others.

  “Take off your skirts,” Elizabeth said.

  “What?” James asked, but Rose was already nodding and Elizabeth helped her shed the under layers until all that was left was the burnt remnants of her dress skirt.

  The thick undergrowth soon gave way to a dense forest. Even the occasional flash of lightning did little to light the way and they had to travel carefully, slowly. Footing was treacherous. Fallen branches and thick roots covered the ground in front of them.

  “Where is he going?” Eli wondered aloud. “I can see leaving the road, but…”

  “The river,” James said, as he tried to catch his breath. “He's heading for the river.”

  “Birch's landing,” Eli said. “There are boats and rafts to be had. If he gets on the river…”

  He didn't need to finish the thought. Simon and Elizabeth exchanged knowing glances. They all knew what that would mean. He would be long gone and Louisa would never be seen again.

  James stopped and grabbed one of the slaves. “Go back to the horses and ride up around to the landing.”

  The man nodded and ran back in the direction they'd just come from. The rest of them pressed on.

  Minute after agonizing minute they picked their way through the woods. The sound of dogs barking in the distance told Simon word had reached the Millers’ and their hounds were out. But in this rain, any scent they might have been able to find would be well washed away by now.

  They fought through the dense woods until finally Simon could make out an opening ahead. A flash of lightning came and he could see a stretch of tall grass through the empty space between the trees. It would be a welcome change. They were making slow progress through the thick woods and might be able to make up some time on open ground.

  They'd just reached the small clearing when a shot rang out.

  Simon pulled Elizabeth to the ground and covered her body with his. Another shot came. Then a scream.

  Simon lifted himsel
f up onto his elbows and cradled Elizabeth's head in his hands. “Are you all right?”

  She nodded and he rolled off her as a few feet away Rose called out.

  “James!”

  Simon and Elizabeth crawled toward them, staying low enough to be hidden by the tall grass.

  “Rose, are you hurt?” Eli asked. She shook her head, but her eyes never left James lying next to her.

  Eli scrambled next to his brother and looked over his shoulder as Simon and Elizabeth approached. “James has been hit.”

  James groaned as he lay on his back and reached up to grab his shoulder. Blood seeped through his fingers as he clutched his wound.

  “We're too exposed here,” Simon said. He indicated the woods they'd just left. “Help him back behind those trees.”

  The remaining slaves and Eli half carried James back into the woods. They helped him to sit leaning against the trunk on the far side of one of the large oak trees.

  Judging from the amount of blood he was losing, it was a very serious wound. His pallor was already starting to gray.

  Simon took out his handkerchief and handed it to Rose. “We need to stop the bleeding.”

  She took it and then looked at her husband. Myriad expressions played across her face - worry, fear, loathing.

  James winced. “Rose,” he said as he reached up to cover her hand.

  She shook her head and looked away. She handed Eli the handkerchief and moved away from them. Confused, Eli took it and pressed it onto his brother's shoulder. He looked up at Simon.

  “We have to keep moving,” Simon said, ignoring the unspoken question. “And he needs medical attention.”

  Eli looked down at his brother and Simon could tell he knew the truth of it.

  Simon edged toward the tree closest to the field and kept one eye out for movement from the doctor. He pulled the gun from his waistband and looked at it in disgust. It was caked with mud. It would be a miracle if the damn thing still worked, but it was all he had and he kept it ready.

  Elizabeth went to Rose and put a comforting arm around her shoulders. She whispered something Simon couldn't hear, but Rose nodded.

  “Cuffy,” Eli called out to one of the slaves who knelt nearby. “Take Mister James to the Millers’. Ask them to do what they can for him.”

  Cuffy nodded and came over to them.

  James grabbed his brother's sleeve. “Please.”

  “We'll find her,” Eli said.

  Cuffy helped James to stand and put his uninjured arm over his shoulder. James implored Rose again, but she looked away, refusing to even look at him as Cuffy helped him back into the forest.

  “You should go with him,” Eli said to her. “It's too dangerous here.”

  Rose lifted her head. “Mr. Cross is right. We have to keep moving.”

  “Rose, please?” Eli said. “We will find her and bring her back to you.”

  “I am her mother,” Rose said simply and then joined Simon at the edge of the field.

  Simon peered around the edge of the tree. He couldn't see anything on the far side of the grass. If the doctor was there, he was well hidden. Odds were, he was long gone and headed toward the river.

  The trees circled the little field to the south. They could stay at the edge of the forest and have enough cover to keep after him. Eli came to his side and held out James' musket. Simon glared at it. The damn thing must weigh ten pounds and was nearly as tall as Elizabeth.

  “I have a gun,” Simon said, showing him his handgun. “Give it to Jacob.”

  Eli looked over at the tall house slave and hesitated. It took Simon a moment to realize that it was probably rather unusual for a master to give a slave a gun. He didn't have time to coddle Eli's fear of a slave uprising.

  “For heaven's sake, man,” Simon said. “Give it to him.”

  Eli hesitated once more, but only briefly before he shoved the gun toward him. “Jacob.”

  Jacob took the gun. “Suh.”

  “We'll circle around,” Simon said. “All right?” he asked and sought out Elizabeth.

  She gave him an encouraging nod and he held out his hand. “Stay close.”

  She took it and came to his side. “Not a problem.”

  Their circular path had probably put them farther behind the doctor, but he could not have been making good time with a child. Simon could only hope they reached Louisa before the doctor decided she was more trouble than she was worth.

  On the far side of the meadow, the dense forest opened a little. Simon's eyes had adjusted to the night and he could see much further ahead now. But what he didn't see was the only thing he'd hoped to see. There was no sign of the doctor or Louisa.

  “Which way is that landing?” he asked.

  “Birch's?” Eli said. He looked around and nodded. “That way.”

  “That way be de swamp,” Jacob said, looking nervous.

  “What of it?” Eli said, as he helped Rose continue on.

  Jacob shook his head. Simon was confused by his sudden change. Jacob had been a stalwart so far.

  “Osay's swamp?” Elizabeth asked.

  Jacob nodded, his frightened eyes never leaving the horizon. Simon remembered the legend Abraham had told them of the slave who led a rebellion and drowned his people to escape, but there wasn't time for superstitions now.

  “Come on,” Simon said, and he and Elizabeth hurried as best they could to catch up and overtake Eli and Rose.

  “Lord protect me,” Jacob said behind them as he whispered a prayer.

  They continued through the woods, the ground getting soggier and muddier beneath their feet, slowing them down even further. Every step was an effort now, and with each one Simon's feet would sink deeper into the mud.

  Suddenly, Elizabeth laid her hand on his arm. “Shhh.”

  She waved her hands for the others to stop. “Quiet.”

  They all froze where they were and listened. Simon didn't hear anything at first, but clearly Elizabeth did. Her eyes widened and a second later, Simon heard it too. It was faint, carried from somewhere in the distance. But the sound was unmistakable - a child crying.

  Rose covered her mouth with her hands. “Louisa,” she whispered.

  It was difficult to tell exactly what direction the sound was coming from. The rain falling on the leaves and pelting the muddy earth was white noise. Simon could just make out an occasional sob and his heart raced faster.

  Elizabeth closed her eyes and turned her head to listen. After a moment, she opened them again. “This way.”

  Simon stayed at Elizabeth's side, his gun drawn. Rose and Eli were right behind them with Jacob bringing up the rear.

  They had to stop once more to listen, but this time the sound was clear. The girl couldn't be far now. They all scanned the darkness. Simon didn't see anything, but Rose did.

  “Louisa!” she suddenly cried out and ran forward, stumbling as she went. Eli hurried to her side. Simon and Jacob raised their guns and scanned for any sign of the doctor. Rose got to her feet and her daughter turned and saw her.

  The girl had been huddled on the edge of the swamp. She was filthy and soaked to the bone, but unhurt, and ran to her mother's arms.

  “Thank God,” Simon said.

  Rose fell to her knees and hugged Louisa, wrapping both arms protectively around her. “Oh, baby,” she said. “Are you hurt? Did he hurt you?”

  Louisa cried and buried her head in her mother's chest. Eli knelt down and ran his hands over the girl. “She's all right, I think.”

  Rose kissed her daughter's tear stained cheeks. “You're safe now.”

  Simon only wished that were true. As long as the doctor was out there, none of them were safe. He looked back into the wilderness, searching for some sign of the doctor, when he noticed Elizabeth walk to the water's edge.

  “Simon, look.”

  He joined her and followed her gaze. The pool of water had a mossy green layer that covered the top of it like a blanket. The canopy of trees above had kept it
mostly undisturbed from the falling rain, but there was a clear path cut through it now. The blanket of algae had been split down the middle and a trail of dark water marked where the doctor had waded into the water and deeper into the swamp.

  Simon knew she would bristle at the suggestion, but they'd pressed their luck with every step so far. He unhooked his watch chain from his vest button and then reached into his vest pocket.

  He held the watch and key out to Elizabeth. “You should stay here with Rose.”

  Elizabeth stared down at the watch and then glared up at him. “And let you have all the fun?”

  She was trying to make light of it, but he heard the tension in her voice.

  “Elizabeth—”

  “Jacob can stay with her.”

  “I stay,” Jacob offered quickly, casting uneasy glances at the swamp. “I be glad to stay.”

  Simon ground his teeth.

  “It's settled then,” Elizabeth said as she took the watch and key from his hand and walked over to Jacob. “Keep an eye on these for us?”

  Jacob nodded and reached for the watch.

  “Just don't…open it,” Elizabeth cautioned him wisely before handing it over.

  Jacob took the watch and key, and carefully slipped them into his pants pocket.

  “There,” Elizabeth said as she strode back in front of Simon.

  He knew it was no use arguing with her, but he did anyway. “Elizabeth, you can't.” She was about to protest when he added, “Not in that.”

  She frowned down at her dress and then looked back up at him with narrowed eyes. She began unbuttoning her dress. “Fine.”

  “For God's sake,” Simon said and he put his gun away and knelt in front of her. He gripped the edge of her skirt and started to rip it off. Her dress had been badly torn by the thorns and sharp branches they'd already journeyed through and it was easily removed. He tossed her skirt to the side and stood.

  Her chemise and drawers were already soaked and dark with mud, but if she noticed, she didn't care. She turned back to Eli. “Are you coming?”

  Eli turned to Rose.

  “Be careful,” Rose said, still clinging to Louisa.

  Eli nodded and then came to Simon's side.